Oracy

About Oracy

We recognise the importance of developing students’ speaking and communication skills to support their learning, raise achievement in all areas of the curriculum and develop pupils’ confidence, articulacy and independence. We are also aware that effective communication is vital to improving the life outcomes of pupils classed as disadvantaged. For this reason, oracy is at the heart of the school’s culture and we are proud to have recently become the first school in Liverpool to be awarded the new Communication & Language Quality Mark. Two years ago we became a member school of the Voice Liverpool oracy programme (an initiative by national charities Voice21 and Shine) and implemented their oracy framework and assessment tool. All our teachers are trained in how to boost the spoken language skills of all our pupils. We are now a hub school for Voice Liverpool, sharing best practice with other local schools – please contact the School Office and ask to speak to our Oracy Lead, Mrs. Evans, for further details.

Public Speaking

Public speaking is an important strand of our oracy programme. Throughout the school year, children are given ample opportunities to use their public speaking skills on both formal and informal occasions. In class, children discuss, debate and perform – we are a Philosophy4Children School, encouraging our pupils to consider important issues. We also have our Christmas nativity plays for Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2; our summer school production for upper KS2; our school council and house captain elections where pupils make speeches as part of their candidacy.

Public Speaking Club

Our weekly public-speaking club is open to pupils from Year 4 to Year 6. Each half-term we compose and perform a range of poems and readings, honing our public speaking skills and preparing for a performance for parents at the last club of the half-term, hosted by the children. This spring we are excited to be entering the Wirral Speech & Drama Festival for the first time ever. Wish us luck!

Debating Programme

Research has shown that children who participate in competitive debates are more engaged with school, make better academic progress and are more likely to progress to higher education. It is also lots of fun! With support from our local secondary school, Archbishop Beck, and training from the English Speaking Union, we run a programme of debating competitions with other local schools each year.

Curriculum
Overview
English
Maths
Science
Computing
History
Geography
Religion
Spanish
Art
Design Technology
PE
PSHE/RSE